Self-fastening contadstbil



l. R. BITTER SELF FASTENING CONTAINER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 23. ms.

Patented July 8, 1919.

2 SHEETS SHEET I.

4;? I wve wtoz 1 I aid-$126555? wow/Im s J. R. RITTER.

' SELF FASTENING CONTAINER. APFLICATION FILED OCT. 23. 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

Patented July 8, 1919.

JOSEPH R. BITTER, OF HASTINGS, FLORIDA.

SELF=FASTENING CONTAINER Specification of Letters Yatent.

Patented July 8, 1919.

Application filed October 23, 1918. Serial No. 259,328.

. tion of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the artto which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in containers andparticularly to boxes-and crates.

One object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improveddevice of this character which is simple in construction and durable andefioient in operation.

Another object is to provide a novel and improved device of thischaracter by which ,great economy of material and of machinery isaccomplished in the manufacture of the containers.

A further object is to provide a novel and improved device of thischaracter wherein all of the walls of the container are of uniformoutline and design, as well as material, so that said walls areinterchangeable.

Another object is to provide a novel and improved device of thischaracter wherein any shaped container may be constructed with twoopposite walls of uniform outline and design.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a noveland improved device of this character wherein each of the walls of thecontainer interlocks with the adjacent walls.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

in the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the container in properly assembledposition.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the walls of the containerremoved.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the containershowing the key slat removed from the cover or top, and the cover partlyremoved.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another con-.

struction for top, and wherein reinforcing battens or slats are used onall of the walls.

Referring particularly to the accompanymg drawing, the containerincludes the two opposite sides A and B, and the two other oppositesides C and D, and the top E and bottom F. Each of the said sides andthe top and bottom are formed of, the slats 10 .whieli are secured tothe battens or binders When assembling the container, the bottom isplaced with its battens uppermost and the portions of the slats thereofbetween the battens resting on the upper faces of the battens of thesides A and B, said battens of said sides being disposed inwardly towardthe center of the container. The sides C and l) are then placed withtheir lower slats resting on the upper faces of the slats of the bottom,immediately inwardly of the battens thereof. The outermost slats of thesides A and B will then lie a ainst the inner faces of the battens ofthe si es C and D inwardly of the battens of the sides 0 and D, whilethe edges of said slats bear against the inner faces of the slats of thesides C and D inwardly of the battens of the sides C and D. When thesides A, B, O and D, and the bottom have been thus assembled, it will benoted that the sides A, B, C and D must necessarily be fastened near thetop to prevent the sides C and D from spreading out while the containeris being filled. This may be accomplished by a nail driven through theslats of the-sides A and B into the battens or binders of the sides Cand 1) near the top of the container from the inside, or wire or anywell known method of fastening may be employed at the four top cornersfor this purpose; the top E from which the end slat 10 has been removedis then placed so that its battens straddle the container from the sideA to the side B, and

the side D and nailed to the battens of the top.

Another improved method of inserting top is designated in the drawing 5and is constructed in same manner as its opposite side, with theexception that the key slat is eliminated and this slat is nailed to thebattens; the side is then cut through the center of each batten and thetwo pieces are inserted in position, two reinforcing slats beingemployed-one near each end-to hold the top in. No other fastenings arenecessary, as the accurate and peculiar construction cause the to to beheld tightly in correct position. xtending transversely of the slats ofeach of the sides and top and bottom of the container is a retaining andbracing slat 12. In the assembling of the parts of the container, thisslat 12 of the top is only secured'at one place as indicated at 13, andafter the removable slat has been put in place and nailed, the slat 12is swung across and its ends engage under the battens of the sides A andB.

It will be noted that the top, bottom, and the sides, are of identicalsize and construction, whereby they are interchangeable. Furthermorethis is conducive to cheapness in the manufacture.

Although the drawing shows each side, top and bottom of identical sizeand con struction, it will be readily understood that containers may bemade in any shape desired, it being essential that two opposite sides ofthree different constructions be the same size and dimension; containersmay be constructed with solid sides as well as ventilated, and of anymaterial desired.

What is claimed is:

1. A knockdown container comprising a form and each plurality of wallsof equal dimensions and consisting of end battens disposed in parallelrelation and slats secured to and extending between thebattens, the endsof the battens projecting beyond the endmost slats of each wall, theouter edge portions of the endmost slats of each wall engaging inwardlyof the battens of two of the adjacent walls and the end slats of thesaid adjacent walls engaging inwardly of the battens of the first-namedwalls, one of the endmost slats of one of the walls being removable topermit the rocking movement of said wall andthe removal of the same fromthe container. p

2. A knockdown container comprising a plurality of walls of equaldimensions and form and each comprising parallel end battens and slatssecured to and extending between the battens, the ends of the battensprojecting beyond the edges of the endmost slats of the walls andengaging in overlapping relation at the corners of the container, theendmost slats of each wall engaging beneath the battens of the adjacentwalls, and reinforcing slats secured transversely of the slats of eachwall and engaging beneath the said battens of the adjacent walls.

In testimony whereof, I aiiiX my signature, in the presence of twowitnesses.

JOSEPH R. BITTER. l Vitnesses J. W. CASE, RUBY DoEsoHER.

